HIKARI SHIMODA: me, as in the beast coat @ FOLEY GALLERY

Foley Gallery is pleased to announce Me, as in the Beast Coat, an exhibition of paintings by Japanese artist Hikari Shimoda.

Hikari Shimoda’s evocative paintings explore the complex themes of childhood and adolescence. Shimoda’s work captures children in situations of discomfort and hesitation. Her paintings offer the viewer an intimate glimpse into a world of isolation and alienation.

Often depicting a solitary child, Shimoda’s paintings possess a naive, illustrative quality. Her delicately textured surfaces work together with a muted, seductive palette to create a presumed innocence. Shimoda draws the viewer into an emotional space pervaded by feelings of vulnerability, loneliness, and grief.

Rather than idealized portraits, Shimoda’s paintings present hollow-eyed children with chafed, twisted fingers and expressions of unease and sadness. These blemished and often disfigured subjects evoke empathy rather than fetishism, which has so often been associated with contemporary Japanese paintings.

Hikari Shimoda earned her AFA from Kyoto Saga University of Arts in Kyoto, Japan. She has received several awards for her work in illustration and painting. Shimoda has participated in various exhibitions, including the Museum Asahi Nagano, the Design Festa, the National Art Center, and the Geisa Museum. Shimoda currently resides in Japan.

Me, as in the Beast Coat will remain on view until May 7, 2011. Foley Gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 6pm.

For more information or to request images, please contact the gallery at 212.244.9081 or via email at info@foleygallery.com.